Novak Djokovic’s decision to end his coaching agreement with Andy Murray was far from a bolt from the blue, but seven-time Grand Slam winner Justine Henin says it raises more questions about what comes next for the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
Former world No 1s Djokovic and Murray caused a stir in the tennis world in November 2024 when they announced they would work together during the off-season and the 2025 Australian Open.
onAfter Djokovic reached the semi-final of the season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, they announced that the collaboration would continue, hinting they are likely to work together during the French Open and Wimbledon.
But the pair announced on social media on Tuesday that the partnership has come to an end with Djokovic stating: “Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun and support over last six months on and off the court. I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
Having retired from tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, working with Djokovic was Murray’s first foray into coaching.
The three-time Grand Slam winner said: “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months.”
Former WTA world No 1 Henin says Djokovic was looking for “something fresh” when he turned to Murray, but the latest move was predictable.
“I’m not surprised about this decision. We can speak about the timing of it,” she told TNT Sports.
“We thought maybe they would have been going to Wimbledon together. This is what they said after the Australian Open: ‘Let’s speak about it and if we still want to collaborate’.
“But did they really expect something? Both of them?
“What is certain is Djokovic knew Andy Murray would be helpful, but it was also to bring something fresh, some power, telling himself, ‘With Andy Murray, I have to find this motivation, to offer him my motivation’.
“He probably thinks about this, about this motivation, and that’s why he has taken this decision now.”
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So what is next for Djokovic in terms of coaching?
After five successful years working with Goran Ivanisevic, during which they won nine Grand Slams together, the pair decided to end their agreement in March last year.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner opted not to appoint a full-time coach for the remainder of the season before turning to Murray later in the year.
There had been questions about Djokovic’s future as the Serbian hasn’t won a major since the 2023 US Open.
Last year he won only one title, singles gold at the Paris Games, while this year he has reached only one final as he finished runner-up to Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open.
“It’s impossible to answer this [if Djokovic will continue without a specific coach]. We are not in his head, but this period of doubt is huge,” Henin added.
“Everything will come from him, from his resources, his wishes to stay here at this level.
“We don’t know about his personal issues, if he has some. There are a lot of unknown topics.
“He will be in Geneva before Roland Garros, but it’s extremely difficult to predict what is going to happen.
“We all wait, we all want to see him, but what does he need? He is probably looking for this also.”
